Four-time NBA Champion and 21-time All-NBA selection LeBron James undoubtedly is the biggest name left on the market, and is taking his time to figure out where he might finish his career.
While James’ move surely will have major implications for the league in several ways, current Warriors free agent Draymond Green recently said on the “Draymond Green Show” that people don’t understand just how much things change with James moving around.
“People don’t understand the weight that LeBron James carries,” Green said. “Still, after 24 years, I still think people don’t understand the force, the weight that this guy carries. From an overall standpoint, the economics that he brings to a team, the economic impact that he may have on a city.
“Also, the basketball, any time LeBron James is on the floor, A your team has a chance to win. But B, you have to account for him in a major way.”
There is no timeline on when James will make his decision on his future, but Golden State was among the 10 teams that his agent, Rich Paul, mentioned as contenders for his services.
If the Warriors were able to land James, they would be able to pair him with Steph Curry and form a duo of two of the best players in NBA history. The acquisition might also give Golden State one final chance at pushing for a title.
UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 24: Dink Pate #1 of the Westchester Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Long Island Nets on March 24, 2026 at The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Evan Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The 2024-25 season was one of the most successful in franchise history for the Westchester Knicks. They won a franchise-record 22 regular-season games, captured a second straight NBA G League Winter Showcase title (the first team ever to repeat), and advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals. The season reinforced Westchester’s reputation as one of the league’s best developmental programs . . . before a step back in 2025-26.
This past season, Westchester stumbled out of the gate, going a painful 1-13 in the G League Tip-Off Tournament. The slow start kept the Knicks out of the Winter Showcase championship bracket, but the early portion of the schedule still gave young players and two-way prospects valuable game reps.
The club finished 14-22 and 13th in the Eastern Conference, ranking near the bottom of the G League in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Westchester averaged 112.9 points per game but allowed 119, resulting in the league’s worst defensive rating and underscoring the organization’s biggest area for improvement heading into 2026-27. The defensive slip was a surprise, considering who their coach is.
Head coach DeSagana Diop has helmed the team since 2022. A former defensive-minded center drafted eighth overall in 2001, he spent 12 seasons in the NBA before beginning his coaching career with the Texas Legends, then serving as an assistant with the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets. He also coaches the Senegal national team.
During his time in White Plains, Diop has emphasized defense, player development, and a strong organizational culture, helping prepare prospects for opportunities with the Knicks. Widely regarded as one of the organization’s rising coaching talents, the big fella has earned recognition for his developmental work and his player-first approach. Given the success he’s had with the club so far, we’re guessing that the stinker last season was just a blip. The W-Knicks will rise again!
Dink Pate, a 20-year-old guard who stands 6’8”, emerged as one of Westchester’s biggest developmental success stories. The young Texan averaged 16 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while making significant strides as a shooter. After entering the season with questions about his perimeter game, Pate knocked down 37% of his three-pointers, earned a spot in the NBA G League Next Up Game, and flashed the versatile two-way potential that once made him one of the nation’s top recruits.
He’s also a front-runner for the best name in the G League. Sometimes I’ll be walking around the house and it just pops into my head: Dink Pate. It sounds like a tiny serving of ground liver. But, I digress. Barring injury, the MSG Knicks are too deep at guard for Pate to get any room, so try to catch this kid in White Plains as often as you can.
Linebacker-sized Trey Jemison III gave Westchester a steady interior presence, averaging eight points, eight rebounds, three assists, and 1.4 blocks across 21 games. The two-way center anchored the paint with his rebounding and rim protection when not waiting in the wings as a break-in-case-of-emergency center for the big league club.
Given that the MSG Knicks are short-handed after losing Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti, Jemison has the opportunity to prove he is ready for a bigger role on Mike Brown’s team. If so, that doesn’t mean that you won’t see him in Westchester—Huk played seven games there last season, diving his time between White Plains and Manhattan. Also, TJ3 has a reputation for being a gentle giant, so don’t be shy about asking for his autograph.
Forward Nick Jourdain (6’9”, 220 lbs) quietly emerged as a dependable rotation forward, averaging 7.8 points and 5.2 rebounds while appearing in 32 games. The 25-year-old undrafted rookie brought energy, rebounding, and defensive versatility, giving Westchester another intriguing developmental prospect to monitor.
Check out this half hour long documentary on him, produced by the G League. This is so good, it deserves a second post sometime.
If his age surprises you, note that Jourdain played five years of college ball, with three at Temple and two at Memphis. If his offensive skills (which are not great) catches up with his defense (which is), Jourdain could generate more interest from NBA clubs.
Bryson Warren (G, 6’3”, 175 lbs) emerged as one of Westchester’s breakout performers, averaging 19.8 points and five assists while displaying the shot-making and playmaking. He’s an intriguing prospect who made the most of his G League opportunities and positioned himself as a player worth watching.
Familiar face Pacome Dadiet (15 GMS, 23 PPG) flashed the offensive upside that made him a draft target, Dillon Jones (18 GMS, 15 PPG) showcased his all-around game as a playmaking forward on a two-way contract, and veteran Isaiah Roby (32 GMS, 12.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG) provided steady frontcourt production while earning the NBA G League Community Assist Award for his leadership on and off the court.
Tyler Kolek played just four games with the team, but left a mark. He delivered probably the best performances in franchise history, erupting for a career-high 42 points and 11 assists while knocking down nine three-pointers in a 141-131 win over the Greensboro Swarm. He capped the remarkable day by joining the Knicks that evening and scoring 11 points off the bench, giving him 53 points across two games in a single day.
This should be an important step-forward year for Kolek at MSG, but even so, expect him to get a few reps at White Plains to stay sharp. Whenever you hear that Kolek has been assigned to the Westchester Knicks, buy a ticket.
Stay tuned for a 2026-27 season preview.
Go W-Knicks!
P.S. I wasn’t going to include this because it might stir some feelings for you, but here’s Huk balling out with the Dubs last season:
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 29: Ranger Suarez #55 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Monday, June 29, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Last place teams don’t really have the right to complain about All-Star snubs. Nevertheless, Willson Contreras, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Sonny Gray are free to feel at least a little aggrieved in being left off the American League All-Star team, the roster of which was revealed last night. Ranger Suárez and Aroldis Chapman — both worthy enough selections — will represent the Sox. Rafaela, though, is second in the American League in fWAR amongst all centerfielders, just a shade behind Byron Buxton, who was elected as a starter. Contreras leads American League first basemen in that category. Sonny Gray is just 20th in fWAR among AL starters, but is second in ERA. Here are the full rosters. (MLB.com)
And given that he’s a veteran who has seen it all at this point, you might be wondering whether Sonny Gray even cares about going to the ASG. But he absolutely does. “I was disappointed for sure,” he said. (Sean McAdam, MassLive)
Contreras may or may not be disappointed about the All-Star snub, but he’s got other things on his mind: mainly, the seven-game suspension he’s facing. And, yesterday, he spoke through tears in offering an apology. “Those situations could have been avoided and controlled and handled better,” he said. “It’s been a really tough week, emotional week for me. I hope that they understand how emotional it has been, and I’ll prove myself with my actions on the field from here moving forward and show the kind of person that I truly am.” (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
No one can complain about Aroldis Chapman’s selection, particularly in light of the fact that he just set the all-time strikeout record for relievers. “That’s great, that reflects on what I’ve done throughout my career,” Chapman said through an interpreter. “On the other side, just want to be out there every time I can to help the team win and to save games.” (Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic)
In light of the record — but acknowledging the very short tenure — the question must be asked: where does Chapman rank on the list of all-time Red Sox relievers? (Daniel Yanofsky, NESN)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Larry the cat at Number 10 Downing Street on June 21, 2026 in London, England. The prime minister is facing calls to announce a timeline for his departure from office ahead of an expected leadership challenge by Andy Burnham, who is re-entering parliament after his victory in the Makerfield by-election. (Photo by Ben Montgomery/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I’m late to yesterday, so happy 5th of July to those reading me from the United States. Better late than never, ask the Knicks fanbase. On to some links and notes.
Andre Drummond gave his first public comments since joining the Knicks, and he seems to understand he’s joining “something bigger than me.” Speaking with Mika Ortiz, the Big Penguin said he brings “a similar talent, similar energy,” to New York as Mitch did.
The Knicks had an early interest in three-time champ Kevon Looney before landing on Drummond. That’s ancient news, as now we are dealing with reports pointing toward a possible trade for Hornets 24-year-old Moussa Diabate and his $2.5 million expiring deal, per Jake Fischer and Marc Stein.
On the veteran front, Jonas Valanciunas is another name that still won’t fully go away and keeps gaining traction. I have a full post on it coming out later today, but for now, I can tell you that Denver has made him available in trade discussions, with a deadline for waiving him scheduled for Wednesday.
The New York Post’s Zach Braziller discussed three potential Summer League storylines, including a potential trade involving Pacome Dadiet, who seems to have lost his place on this team. If you’ve read me here or the comments section, you already know I’m all in for freeing that cap space by dumping him somewhere, even if it takes a bunch of picks to sweeten the deal. A tease:
“The clock could be ticking on the 6-foot-9 Dadiet. Diawara appears to have passed him. In two years, Dadiet has played in only 47 games as a Knick. Over the next few weeks he has a chance to impress. The better he performs, the better for the Knicks. Dadiet could be a trade chip, with the team looking to avoid the second apron, and with roughly $6.5 million to spare.”
Staying SL, there is some conflicting stuff going on involving rookie Jack Kayil. The German was left off the Knicks roster, but now it looks like his agent is saying he’ll be there in Las Vegas.
Patrick Ewing is leaving his Knicks ambassador role and returning to coaching with the Wizards. More from us on it here. Big Pat coached MJ back in his first stint there, and who knows if he will have the chance to load-manage LBJ there next!
Rich Paul told Forbes that James is not expected to make his free agency decision “anytime soon,” which still means it could happen any day.
It took them a few days, but plugged-in folks out there finally realized they had to include Bronny in the LBJ sweepstakes, somehow, some way. And now, here we are with Cleveland supposedly leaving roster spots open not for James, not even for James Harden, but for Bronny. Savannah must be pissed.
For some reason, I don’t remember including this James Dolan interview with Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post in any of my post-championship Bulletin posts. I found chunks elsewhere, I think, but not the full feature back then. Weird. Still worth the read, even if the subject isn’t the most appreciated people around these places. Dolan discussed the Thibs firing, son Quentin’s magic hands, and a bunch of other stuff. Quote sample:
“The thing is, is to learn. Right? That might be the thing I feel best about is, I felt, I feel, that now after 25 freaking years of doing this, I might actually have learned something.”
Braden Smith shouted out Brunson when discussing undersized guards succeeding in the NBA in a Q&A with Hoopshype. He believes a little dude renaissance is slowly but surely coming to the league, even though the free-agent market has gone wild the other way, with one particular team doing stupid things to land one.
Our friends from MeridianSports reported on Saturday that UCLA has offered Serbian prospect Nikola Kusturica (currently at FC Barcelona) a $12 million NIL deal for two seasons. He’s 17 years old. AJ Dybantsa is 19 and will earn around $15 per year the next two seasons in the NBA. Sheesh…
Jun 21, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Former Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley waves to the crowd after his retirement ceremony before the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-Imagn Images
This is a simple question of the day: who is your favorite all time Phillies player and why?
I’m interested in the mix that we get with current and former players.
JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Quinn Mathews #60 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws a pitch during a spring training game against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Despite another season where the St. Louis Cardinals struggled in June, the team still sits in postseason contention as the second half begins. The past two weeks of the month made things feel worse than they actually are, but being five games above .500 in a rebuild season, things are not too bad in St. Louis.
*Disclaimer: I am writing this on Thursday afternoon due to the holiday so some stats/thoughts may be outdated by Sunday’s post*
The entire offense struggled at the same time which was unfortunate as the starting pitching started to right the ship at times. Series losses to the Marlins and Diamondbacks made the vibes a little worse for the Cardinals. As we continue to discuss buy vs. sell at this year’s deadline, the end of June made it clear that the best course of action is likely subtraction from the 26-man roster. While disappointing, Chaim Bloom committing to the plan he set out since being named POBO will still create plenty of exciting storylines for the rest of the season, even if the postseason slips out of grasp.
A sell off will create opportunity for Cardinals prospects to flourish
To avoid going too far into the “buy or sell” conversation that we continue to beat into the ground, I am going to guess that at least three spots on the major league roster will be opened up via trade. While a rebuild usually entails Johnny No-Name getting playing time after the deadline, the Cardinals’ farm system has talent that is close enough to the major leagues to warrant a look. With Chaim Bloom creating excitement and optimism among fans with his work in the front office, even a losing second half could be fun to watch, for lack of a better word.
According to FanGraphs, the Cardinals have the 10th-best farm system and a lot of that talent is at Double-A or better already. If and when Bloom makes deals from the major league roster, the returns will hopefully continue to push that ranking into the single digits. Assuming the players coming to St. Louis are not established big leaguers, Bloom is more likely to give the big league promotions to the minor leaguers with a track record in the organization. The first of these would likely be one of Bloom’s offseason acquisitions in Hunter Dobbins.
Dobbins has been solid overall this season, notching a 6-1 record and an ERA under 4.00 in 16 games between Memphis and St. Louis. The righty profiles as a mid-rotation arm who can have some spectacular outings mixed in with a consistent run of quality starts. There will be plenty of innings available next season and Dobbins will have one of the lengthier auditions for a role heading into the 2027 season.
If the injury luck continues for the Cardinals’ rotation, then seeing prospects like Brycen Mautz and Quinn Mathews make a prolonged major league stay may only happen in a relief or swingman role. JoJo Romero is my pick for most likely to be dealt, creating an instant need for a lefty option alongside Justin Bruihl. Mautz is on the 40-man already and has one game under his belt while Mathews would need to be added to the roster count. Mathews must be added to the 40-man this offseason to be protected in the Rule 5 draft. Trades for minor leaguers will keep those roster spots open, so there would be no issue with activating the lefty to the roster.
Before moving to the position player side, it would be plausible to see Cooper Hjerpe get a late season opportunity. The lefty was just activated from the 60-day IL and will be pitching in Double-A as he works his way back to full strength. Along with Hjerpe, I would like to see Tink Hence get a shot, but that could be wishing against hope. When we asked Chaim Bloom about Tink, it was not very encouraging to hear his uncertainty with what the former top prospect needs to fix. The clock is ticking on his time with the organization and a relief role is the only way he is going to get a call.
To the hitters, we all know about Joshua Baez and what he has done to minor league pitching this year. The outfielder slugged his 28th homer of the year but has yet to move past the chase rate concerns that are constantly brought up. Focusing on what he can do, Baez provides pop the lineup is missing, the speed to cause chaos on the bases, and a decent enough fielding tool to play all three outfield spots. I do not personally know if he is “ready” for the bigs, but it makes sense to see what the guy can do against major league pitching, even if it is just to give him exposure like the organization did with Masyn Winn and Jimmy Crooks.
In my less exciting but still fun category, I expect to see Luis Gastelum in this disaster of a bullpen at some point before the end of the season. His strong season has continued in Memphis as his season ERA sits at 2.38 while striking out more than a batter per inning. Mason Molina was just bumped up to Triple-A and he could earn consideration for a promotion, but he is further down the pecking order than the other arms.
And finally, how the demoted Cardinals handle the last half of the season will be another note I will be keeping an eye on through September. Victor Scott II, Nolan Gorman, and Thomas Saggese were all demoted to provide new opportunity for others on the roster and their path to returning to St. Louis is cloudy at best. Of the trio, unfortunately Saggese has been the best thus far in Memphis, but that is nothing to brag about at this point. I want all three of them to become regular contributors on the Cardinals’ major league roster, but they need to make something happen in Triple-A first.
While there are times where the team has been frustratingly flat, I am really most excited about watching a Cardinals team that seems to care on a nightly basis. That is an immeasurable observation and surely every player on every team wants to win every night, but with a roster of young guys who still need to prove their worth, we are more likely than not to see a hard nine innings of baseball.
Let me know what you’re most excited about for the second half. If you think its a deep playoff run, great! If you want to see an endless cycle of prospects getting a cup of coffee in the majors, also cool! I’ll be seeing the Cardinals up close these next two weekends. Sunday, I will unfortunately head to Wrigley to take advantage of a friend’s company tickets behind home plate. Then I will be heading to St. Louis next weekend for our annual family trip and hope to see some good baseball from the stands. I will likely go Tarps Off.
Any time it would like to stop raining in the Chicago area would be fine with me.
Saturday’s 3-0 Cubs loss to the Cardinals was delayed 59 minutes before it began by yet another heavy rainfall that drenched the north side of Chicago, then delayed another 15 minutes after the end of the sixth inning when it became impossible for players to see the ball due to heavy fog that blew in off Lake Michigan after the rain ended.
What month is this, anyway? April? November?
This is what it looked like from my perch in the left field bleachers (Bluesky link):
But they couldn’t see much from the press box, either:
You can no longer see the centerfield scoreboard from the broadcast booth at Wrigley Field because of the fog during this Cubs and Cardinals game pic.twitter.com/9AjjcXAEHI
The fog finally lifted about 10:20 p.m. and the teams finished the game. There’s not much to talk about here from a Cubs point of view, though.
Shōta Imanaga’s first pitch of the game was sent into the left-field bleachers by JJ Wetherholt. After that Imanaga settled down and threw fairly well, though he walked three, and one of those walks led to the Cardinals’ second run in the third inning. Imanaga did strike out eight [VIDEO].
Tyler Ferguson, Ryan Rolison, Trent Thornton and Caleb Thielbar attempted to keep things close. The four relievers combined for 4.1 innings in which they allowed four hits and one run, with five strikeouts.
It didn’t matter because the Cubs offense was moribund. They had five hits and four walks off five Cardinals pitchers, but got just three runners past first base. The tone seemed to be set when Pete Crow-Armstrong, who walked to lead off the first for the Cubs, was thrown out trying to steal. In the third, Michael Conforto led off with a single and two outs later advanced to second when PCA walked again. A force out ended that inning. Conforto singled again in the fifth and two outs later went to second when PCA was hit by a pitch. That inning ended on a foul popup.
In the eighth, PCA led off with a single. That’s one good thing — PCA reached base in all four of his plate appearances. Alex Bregman followed with a walk. Two on, nobody out! All that did was result in an 0-for-3 with RISP, because the inning ended on a ground out and two strikeouts.
PCA’s season OBP has reached .380, nearly 100 points higher than the .287 he posted last year. The .380 figure ranks 10th in the National League (and is only .007 behind Freddie Freeman, who is sixth).
Any time the Cubs offense would like to wake up again would be okay by me. After the 23-run outburst Wednesday, the Cubs have scored one run total in their last 18 innings.
Fifteen minutes later play resumed, but it wasn’t any different for the Cubs, who stranded eight runners.
Fog fact from BCB’s JohnW53:
On May 20, 1960, at Milwaukee, the Cubs played their first abandoned game that was scoreless after more than 2 innings. It remains their only 0-0 unofficial game halted in the fifth inning — and their only abandoned game of any length that was stopped because of fog.
“The Cubs and Braves tried valiantly Friday night to win a running battle with the elements,” said the Tribune. “Maybe they are gaining on the fickle weather man, for they did play four and a half scoreless innings during a weird three and one-half hour program.
“After a light rain caused a 1 hour, 28 minute delay in the first inning, a fog blew in from Lake Michigan, and the athletes sparred their way into the fifth inning with two slick pitchers, Warren Spahn and Don Cardwell, refusing to yield a run.
“But Plate Umpire Frank Dascoli, finally convinced when he could barely make out the outfielders and Shag Crawford, umpiring at second base, that baseballs no longer could be detected in flight, called another halt.
“After a half hour wait, the game was proclaimed no contest.”
And facts about this game from John:
This was the 181st game since 1901 in which the Cubs were shut out by the Cardinals. It was the 2,409th between the teams.
Only 75 of the shutouts have been at Wrigley Field, including just three of the last 13. The previous two were by 3-0 on June 14, 2024, and by 1-0 on Aug. 22, 2022. ….. The Cubs had failed to score in only 12 of 226 previous games on the Fourth of July, three of them vs. the Cardinals. They had been blanked in seven of 136 games at home, twice by the Cards.
The reason for the large number of games on July 4 is, of course, that for many decades holiday doubleheaders were common.
Also, yes of course I know it doesn’t matter what TV channel the game is on, but the Cubs have not done well in games carried on various national channels this year:
The Cubs lost no ground to the Brewers in the NL Central race, as Milwaukee lost at Arizona. The Cubs still trail the Brewers by six games, but are now just half a game ahead of the Cardinals.
The Cubs will attempt to salvage the final game of this series Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Javier Assad will start for the Cubs and Matthew Liberatore goes for St. Louis. Game time is 1:30 p.m. CT (yes, 1:30, not 1:20) and TV coverage will be streaming on Peacock (full national broadcast, no blackouts). Today’s game preview will post at 12 noon CT.
NHL free agency may have slowed down now that July 1 has passed, but there are still a good number of unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who have not signed with teams. A decent number of them are former Columbus Blue Jackets players, as Patrik Laine, Nick Blankenburg, James van Riemsdyk, and Danton Heinen have all not landed new deals yet.
Laine spent four seasons with the Blue Jackets from 2020-21 to 2023-24 before being dealt to the Montreal Canadiens following his trade request. The skilled winger spent most of his time with the Canadiens injured and played in just five games last season for Montreal.
Blankenburg spent his first three NHL seasons with the Blue Jackets from 2021-22 to 2023-24. He recorded new career highs with eight goals, 16 assists, and 24 points in 61 games last season split between the Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche. With this, the former Blue Jackets blueliner should eventually find a new home.
van Riemsdyk spent the 2024-25 season with the Blue Jackets, where he recorded 16 goals and 36 points in 71 games. He followed that up this past season by posting 15 goals and 31 points in 72 games with the Detroit Red Wings. The potential for him to land a one-year deal or PTO with another NHL team is there. That is assuming that the 37-year-old does not retire.
As for Heinen, he finished this past season with the Blue Jackets after they acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the Egor Chinakhov trade. In 33 games with Columbus following the move, the 10-year veteran posted five goals and five assists.
The NHL has seen most of this year's top unrestricted free agents (UFAs) sign their new contracts. While this is the case, there are still some decent players who have yet to be signed.
Interestingly, a former Buffalo Sabres blueliner is the best UFA defenseman still available for the taking: Logan Stanley.
It is a bit surprising to see that Stanley has not found a new home at this point in the off-season. The 6-foot-7 defenseman just had the best season of his NHL career so far in 2025-26 and is right in his prime at 28 years old. Yet, at the time of this writing, he is still looking for his next contract.
With Stanley now being the top UFA defenseman still on the market, it feels inevitable that he will find his new home soon. Teams will always value big defensemen who play an edge, and Stanley fits that description.
Stanley showed last season that he can also produce some offense from the point, as he set new career highs with nine goals, 17 assists, and 26 points in 76 games split between the Winnipeg Jets and Sabres. He also recorded 110 hits and 128 penalty minutes.
It will be interesting to see where Stanley ends up, but he could be a good fit on multiple teams.
Free agency in the NHL is off to a flying start. After the first four days, teams around the league have over 200 contracts and committed over one billion dollars. With this in mind, here is a look at where players who were part of the Vancouver Canucks organization in 2025-26 have signed during Free Agency 2026.
Mar 24, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Curtis Douglas (42) shoots against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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The St. Louis Blues are looking to add young but established players this off-season, highlighted by the additions of Connor McMichael and Mason MacTavish.
Nikishin is a 24-year-old left-handed defenseman who just completed his rookie season with the Hurricanes, winning the Stanley Cup. In the regular season, Nikishin posted 11 goals and 33 points in 81 games while averaging 18:11 of ice time.
In the playoffs, Nikishin’s role diminished, and he played in 17 of 19 games. However, he was on the receiving end of a heavy hit in the first round against the Ottawa Senators, recording just one assist and averaging just 14:50.
Despite his role diminishing, Nikishin remains a very solid two-way defenseman who can play in any situation. In his time in the KHL and briefly on the Hurricanes’ second power play unit, Nikishin demonstrated the ability to quarterback a power play. He has a heavy shot, but also possesses the vision to distribute the puck from the blueline.
On the defensive side, Nikishin boasts a 6-foot-3, 218-pound frame and uses his long reach to knock pucks off his opponents’ sticks. Physically, Nikishin doesn’t fear getting involved, as he threw 132 hits and blocked 94 shots.
In the regular season, Nikishin posted a Corsi For percentage of 58.39 percent, an expected goals percentage of 55.56 percent, and a high-danger for percentage of 53.8 percent at 5-on-5 according to naturalstattrick.com.
Adding Nikishin to the lineup would give the Blues four left-handed defensemen, as he would join Philip Broberg, Cam Fowler, and Theo Lindstein.
The Hurricanes have placed a high price tag on Nikishin, and recently, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that teams interested in Nikishin will have to take Jesperi Kotkaniemi as well.
Nikishin is currently a restricted free agent but is ineligible to receive an offer sheet. If the Blues are serious about a trade, the only path is through a trade.
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: New Orleans assistant coach Joe Boylan before the New Orleans Pelicans versus Los Angeles Lakers game on February 27, 2019, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Icon Sportswire) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Another hire for Dusty May's first NBA coaching staff: Joe Boylan.
After stints with five other NBA teams, including Memphis, Boylan was initially expected to reunite with Taylor Jenkins on his new Milwaukee staff. But l’m told Boylan is now Dallas-bound along with Willie Green. https://t.co/KPdMGnEddB
Boylan’s resume is somewhat sparse compared to someone like Green, with a start in 2013-2014 as an assistant coach involved in player development with the Golden State Warriors. His next coaching stint came in the same role for the New Orleans Pelicans beginning in 2018 and lasting two seasons before another brief hiatus. He joined the Minnesota Timberwolves staff as an assistant from 2022-2024 and then landed with the Memphis Grizzlies for the 2024-2025 season, also as an assistant.
The slightly spotty coaching history lends an air of mystery to Boylan and what he brings to the staff, but a deeper look shows those gaps were filled with roles in the G League. It should also be noted that his various stints have paired him with generally accomplished coaches Mark Jackson, Alvin Gentry, Chris Finch and Taylor Jenkins, the latter of whom is at the helm in Milwaukee. Despite familiarity with Jenkins, it seems Boylan is choosing Dallas, despite reports to the contrary. Multiple sites, including our friends at Brew Hoops previously reported that Boylan was reuniting with Jenkins, but that no longer appears to be the case.
Getting back to what he brings to the staff, Boylan is known as a player development guru and founder of Cognition Coach. This is a cerebral person that is skilled at getting the best out of players by way of teaching player how to self-organize and pivot around game situations to problem-solve their way through a variety of scenarios. In short, it simulates game like scenarios and is more spontaneous and chaotic than rote drills that typically take place in a vacuum against token (or outright absent) defenses. Boylan has been quoted as saying:
“I became known as the ‘games coach.’ I was the guy you went to when you wanted a situation with defense and decisions. By that time in my career, I had adopted the CLA [constraints-led approach] as the underpinning of all of my practice design. Jaden McDaniels went from shooting 66 percent at the rim in his rookie year, doing the Mikan Drill, to 68 percent in Year 2, to 72 percent in his third season, to an elite 74 percent by Year 4. We exposed him to situations similar to the game, over and over again. No matter what situation arises, the player knows how to solve it. Maybe it’s a spin move in one scenario but a scoop in another. Maybe changing speed or direction works one time, maybe changing hands the next.”
Assistant coaching hires are rarely the exciting news of the offseason, but Boylan and his particular style are certainly intriguing. With a two core rookies in Cooper Flagg and Morez Johnson, Jr., along with newcomers Sergio de Larrea, Tobi Lawal and others, Boylan could prove to be a major boon to a young developing team.
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Ever since the Lamelo Ball trade (which remains yet to be completed), Timberwolves fans have been focused on one question:
Will LeBron James be coming to Minnesota?
The answer is obviously yes, as he will inevitably play either for or against the Wolves at some point in the coming season, his record-setting 24th (how?) season. Whether LeBron is on the way or not, the Wolves have a massive hole at power forward.
James on a minimum deal would undoubtedly be the best solution to that problem (and arguably the most valuable contract the league has ever seen). Let’s go through the other options, inspired by the tweet by Wolves Wire.
Power Forwards that are attainable (money-wise) via trade, assuming that Josh Green, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Julian Phillips are the only players on the table: pic.twitter.com/LetVSDQkii
Before we hop into that, let’s start with the on-roster options.
It seems like the Wolves plan on playing Jaden McDaniels at the four, despite the fact that the majority of his career has been at the three. This would leave an open spot on the wing, instead of in the front court, which can be filled by trade throw-in Josh Green or an unexpected leap from one of TJ Shannon or (the more likely option in my opinion) Jaylen Clark.
The depth behind this stack would still be abysmal, with Ayo Dosumnu and Joan Beringer, the assumed sixth and seventh men off the bench, being either too small or too big to fill in at that other forward position.
If we discard the idea of playing Jaden out of his most common position, then the options become far crazier and weirder.
Some have been comparing TJ Shannon’s athletic profile to former Ball teammate (and forever hatewatch member) Miles Bridges, although Shannon was last listed 20 lbs below Bridges and does not have the same burly body type that has allowed the undersized swingman to feast off of Lamelo’s creation abilities.
There was also a report that prompted the question of whether Beringer could play alongside Gobert. I would pretty decidedly say no, and that any question that returns a team with two of the best off the dribble volume three point shooters to a world in which that is their *only* option must be rejected wholeheartedly.
That leaves just yesterday’s signee, Trey Lyles, which… You know what, man, never say never.
That leaves us with the three categories of the aforementioned tweet. Julian Phillips’ option was declined, which means the only options are rerouting Green or attaching Shannon to Green’s 14.6 million dollar deal to reach a slightly larger 17.4 million, with an enticing, admittedly older prospect on the hook.
Three of those remaining options have been moved already, with Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale both headed to Charlotte and Santi Aldama in Dallas. With that glut of forwards on the Mavericks, maybe they are the most logical partner if a deal ends up getting done.
However, that leaves just Naji Marshall as the odd man out. Lucky enough for the Wolves, he probably provides the best skill set for what Minnesota needs. The 28-year-old experienced a bit of a breakout for an understaffed, overasked Mavericks team. He acted as a secondary creator off the bench, shot a high percentage from the field, and scored a career high 15.2 points per game in an expanded role.
Nov 17, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) dribbles the ball as Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) plays defense in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
He may only be 6’6, the same height as Anthony Edwards or TJ Shannon, but he has the strength and build to hold up as a full-time four. His ability as a perimeter stopper would also push Jaden McDaniels to a more natural defensive role as a help-side shot blocker.
While many fans have also been excited about the idea of trading for the Dallas Mavericks’ other forward, PJ Washington, that option seems impossible without a surprise Rudy Gobert trade. While it may make sense to move Gobert into two serviceable pieces, the defensive support system that Rudy provides is likely more valuable than ever with Lamelo in tow.
Additionally, any two-for-one move would take the Wolves out of the LeBron sweepstakes, as they only have one open roster slot right now.
Of the forward options listed in the original post, neither Nikola Jović nor Obi Toppin seem worth moving Shannon for. However, there are other younger second draft options that could be available to the Wolves.
Maybe former sixth overall pick Jarace Walker can turn his career around and become the player many anticipated he would be coming out of Houston: a fluid, connective piece, a playmaking forward with a defensive and rebounding focus.
Or maybe that could come in the form of Taylor Hendricks, the oft-injured ninth overall pick that the Utah Jazz dumped to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade, now on an expiring deal.
Is there any universe in which the Wolves can find their way into the Herb Jones conversation, using TJ Shannon, who has one of the two rumored first-round picks? Unlikely, but the fit is near ideal.
Ultimately, in the words of the iconic Jonny K, this is not a problem that needs to be solved now, or even before the season starts. The Wolves have a hole, but so do many championship teams. Jose Alvarado was vital for the New York Knicks’ championship run this year. He was acquired for two seconds and a bad contract.
Minnesota needs to make moves, but there is no agency to make them.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 4: Cameron Boozer #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during a 2026 NBA Salt Lake City Summer League game on July 4, 2026 at Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Boozer played 24 minutes, and scored 15 points, pulled down 4 rebounds, and also passed out 4 assists.
It was a successful debut in general, obviously, but stats don’t tell the whole story.
As we saw at Duke, one of Boozer’s best talents is that he makes his teammates better. You could probably cobble together a way to measure that from analytics, but eyeballing the game?
You know it when you see it.
What no one really thought about though is that in the NBA, Boozer has a bigger canvas to work with.
In the NBA, the lane is 16 feet, as opposed to 12 in college, and the three-point line is about 1 foot and 7 1/4 inches further back.
Both of these factors are going to work in Boozer’s favor, as it will spread the court. For that matter, so will the 24 second clock.
We got a hint Saturday when Boozer worked the court for passes, tip-ins, and threes. It’s nothing new to Duke fans, as we said, but the way the NBA court is laid out is going to really work to his advantage.
It’s going to be really interesting to see how things work out for him going forward. One thing that’s possible soon is that Memphis may decide they’ve seen enough and shut him down early like Dallas did last July with Cooper Flagg, pulling him from Summer League play after just two games.
LeBron James once sported a throwback Jim Brown jersey before a 2003 high school game that pitted St. Vincent-St. Mary against Walsh. | Phil Masturzo/Beacon Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
This is a Cleveland Browns site, as the somewhat inside joke in the comments will remind us. If we are being honest, we are also a site full of sports fans who like a lot of different things. Whether that is the World Cup and Olympics every four years, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Guardians, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Crew, The Ohio State Buckeyes, or one of the many other colleges in the state, Ohio is full of sports.
With July 4th in the rearview mirror, it seems that James might indeed return to Northeast Ohio. According to reporting and a few sources I still have around the Cavs and LeBron (I covered the team for a while, including during the 2016 NBA championship), we could hear leaks that James will be signing with his home state team on a contract that could last two seasons (one year plus a player option).
As a Browns site, that means we have to ask the question about what reunion fans would want to see on Cleveland’s football team this year or next. There are a myriad of former Browns players around the league, but few have the type of cache to be worthy of being included here.
Looking at active players, not which former Cleveland great would you want to teleport onto this team from their prime, just three came to mind:
RB Nick Chubb
One of the best to do it, Chubb is a free agent after spending last season with the Houston Texans. Chubb had 122 carries last season for just over 500 yards and three touchdowns. Major injuries have significantly impacted Chubb’s explosiveness, as his yards per carry number fell from over five yards a carry in his first six seasons to 3.3 and 4.1 the last two.
Chubb could sign as Cleveland’s third-down back and provide Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson a veteran mentor in 2026, perhaps his final season. The veteran back could also wait to see if a contender has an injury that leads to a phone call.
QB Baker Mayfield
As noted in the piece linked above, Mayfield is set to hit free agency after the end of this season and has been unable to come to terms on an extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Browns fans will probably argue about how good Mayfield actually is, something the Bucs might be doing internally as well, he’s clearly better than the quarterback play Cleveland saw last year and is expecting in 2026. Mayfield is somewhere between ‘better than terrible’ and Top 10 as a quarterback.
Should the Browns make a play to bring him back in ‘27 because he’s significantly better than what they have and more certain than anyone they can draft, or should they continue to shoot for a Top 10-level quarterback? Mayfield may not want to return, but Kevin Stefanski’s departure might help.
TE David Njoku
Focused on players that Cleveland fans have loved in the past (which excluded Odell Beckham Jr.), Njoku fills out the list. The former first-round pick signed with the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason after saying goodbye to Browns fans and the city. Njoku’s production never lived up to his physical gifts or contract, but he gave a lot of effort and endeared himself to the fans during his time in Cleveland.
Turning 30 years old in early July, Njoku could have a number of seasons left in the league. While it may only be in a backup role, a return to help a young, growing team could make sense for the infection Chief.
Which, if any, of the three do you want to return? Which do you think is most realistic?
